Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you know that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords now have to make sure their Plimmerton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any renewed or new tenancy and all private rentals are required to be fully conforming by the 1st July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We will evaluate your rental property to determine whether it meets NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessment, we will advise you or your property manager about any work required. needs to be done and offer an evaluation report with all the details required to complete your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Inability to meet the standards under the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthy homes related fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties, as well as completely certified for each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied contract is signed on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be taken care of within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, when a brand new, renewed or varied lease is entered into on the Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be completed within 90 days.

Failure to meet any of the Healthy Homes Standards by the end of the expected timeframe can result in the possibility of a fine up to $7200. Furthermore, if a current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance is not included in a new, renewed or revised tenancy contract, it could result in an additional fine or violation fee.

Anyone can request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they are related to the house they live in. If the landlord or property manager does not provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they could receive an infringement letter and be fined upto $750.

In addition, there’s also a penalty up to $900 for landlords or property managers who have provided a false or misleading Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is the person who is named on the tenancy agreement as the person who is letting the property out which could be the name of the landlord or the property management company.

The information contained in the Compliance Statement requirements to be current when the tenancy contract is signed, and ideally it must be updated through the tenancy period as related work is completed.

It is also crucial to remember that a landlord who have multiple rental properties could face more severe penalties for not complying. The highest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties can be fined as high as $50,000 and as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet your Healthy Homes requirements can hit your bank account with significant fines and having to continue to comply. Don’t risk your rental property, contact us today and arrange to have an home assessment done for your rental property.

Get the full description of the Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

What are the reasons why Healthy Homes Compliance important?

A majority of households rent homes in New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research has shown that these rental homes are most likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally have lower quality than homes that are owned by the owner.

Cold, damp and mouldy homes can have negative well-being results, specifically for illnesses like colds, asthma, as well as heart diseases. In addition, people who have reported at least four major house quality problems often experience poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Plimmerton rental property will help tenants experience improved physical and mental health and minimise the disruptions to their work, education and living because of illness. Your investment will be safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs over the long term.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of specific and minimum requirements for heating, insulation Ventilation and Ventilation and Drainage, as well Draught stopping for Plimmerton rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about having a Plimmerton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property today.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts are a major cause of less temperature in households. A humid house is more expensive to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are the most unreasonable gaps or holes?

If you are able to feel external air flowing in or a clear draught from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it’s likely a crack or hole which needs sealing in any way. Cracks and gaps that are large should be stopped permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit into your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t being used, it can create draughts. This must be sealed off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that such draughts are squelched whenever possible.

You don’t require to block off gaps or holes in the building. For instance, small gaps around doors and windows could be required to allow movement of the structure when the house is heated and cools in order to let them be closed and opened rather than being stuck. We will test all doors and windows during an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Check out the complete details for the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

A good heating system is crucial for well-being homes

Heating Plimmerton

Rental properties in Plimmerton need to have a stable heating source that is able to heat the principal or the biggest living space to a minimum of 18degC, even during the most coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical health as well as their mental health.

The heating source requirements to remain fixed (i.e., not portable), at least 1.5 Kilowatts in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum heating capacity needed in the living area. A Heating Assessment Tool may be used to check if the fix heater(s) are adequate or whether you will require to "top-up" with an additional heater. Unflued combustion and open fire heaters like portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be acceptable heating options under those following the Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating (or heat pump), it requirements to include a thermostat. This will make the heating more reliable and effective. In most homes, larger heaters that are fixed, such as wood burners, heat pumps pellet burners, flued gas heaters are needed. In some instances, like small apartments the smaller fixed electric heater may be sufficient.

If the living area already has a central heating source like the heat pump, it may require some additional energy to meet the standards. Certain types of heaters cannot be used to comply with the quality as they are either not effective, cost prohibitive to operate and/or unsafe to run.

Check out the complete details on details on Healthy Homes heating requirements.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Each liveable space in the rental property should contain at minimum one open door or window to provide natural airflow. Furthermore, moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to eliminate moisture.

It is the ventilation standard is all about acknowledging how the dry atmosphere is much easier to heat and that a well ventilated rental property is less likely to develop damp and mould.

Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t considered liveable , and thus do not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or Skylight requirements for them to be in a position of opening to the outside and remain at an open angle to allow ventilation and fresh air air flow.

All kitchens and bathrooms, and any other room in your home with a bath, shower and cooktop or another moisture-producing item will require proper extractor fan systems that can be vented towards the outside. This Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate ventilation throughout the living spaces with the right extractor fan for areas that are high in moisture.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A dry and warm home is an ideal house

Insulation Plimmerton

Underfloor and ceiling insulation is mandatory for all rent homes as of July 1st, 2019. Property managers and landlords are required to make sure that the insulation is in line with this new quality. In some cases, current ceiling insulation, or the insulation of the subfloor space may require to be filled with or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can help control condensation and lower the chance of mould and damp, and also makes much easier to the household to retain warmth.

Insulation requirements to meet the R-values for your area

The "R" refers to thermal resistance and it is a measurement of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, higher the standard of insulation.

• Zone 1 Zone 1 Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 Underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest area of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9, underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

Learn more about the Healthy Homes insulation standard.

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Protecting your rental property from water damage isn’t only about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere for rain, surface and ground water to go and to prevent it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is typically not apparent that it could be a huge problem and cause damages to your investment and harming your tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must have effective drainage to eliminate floodwaters, surface water and ground water. This includes an appropriate outfall or runoff. Making sure that water has a proper place to go and that it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is a vital aspect of maintaining your property’s dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture ingress, if your property has an enclosed space between your floor and the soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is generally a sheet of polythene that is placed over the ground, to block any moisture from the ground from rising into the building. It also helps to prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

See the full details of The Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage standard.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Plimmerton

Rental property areas affected by Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Plimmerton include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedrooms
• Dining Room
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are a variety of things you should look for during a home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need topping up or replacing?
• Do you think the heating system has enough capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught stopping?
• Does the house has enough ventilation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being in the wrong of an tenant services ruling could be significant for property managers and landlords. For expert assistance, get in touch today to schedule your rental properties house evaluation.